The Scriptures Inspired

The Scriptures Inspired

Intro.: There are incredible stories of wealthy people who live in poverty (not wanting to spend their own money). Whereas, we, as Christians, live as paupers

when we have the greatest wealth in the world, the Bible. The Bible has been a target for persecution for centuries. The Roman Emperor Diocletian decreed that he would stamp out the Bible and kill every Christian. For 300-400 years thereafter, Christians lived in the 600 miles of catacombs that run under the city of Rome.

Voltaire, the French philosopher, said “the Bible would cease to exist in his generation”. 50 years after his death, the Geneva Bible Society set up their

printing shop in his home to produce Bibles for the world. The world is trying it’s best to live without the Bible, unfortunately too many Christians attempt the same thing.

NOTE: Scripture is verbally inspired of God and is the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

I. The Inspiration of the Word – READ: I Thessalonians 2:13

A. Truth must first be recognized and then received or accepted

1. It must not be seen as the word of men

a. This is what you get with the National Enquirer

2. It must be seen for what it really is, the Word of God

a. READ: II Peter 1:20-21

B. When it is received and believed, it’s benefits begin to flow through our faith

C. Have you ever heard anyone say, “Everybody has a different interpretation” or “It all depends on how you look at it.”

1. For those who feel like this, the Word of God will never be a powerful force in their lives

2. The foundational truth is that the Word of God means exactly what God meant it to mean!

D. How many times have you heard someone say “God told me…”?

1. EXAMPLE: “God told me to divorce my husband and marry this man.”

2. vs. 21 says “no true spiritual utterance was ever made by an act of human will”.

a. Our will can’t declare the future (Jean Dixon)

b. Our will can’t proclaim the mind of God

3. The Holy Spirit must move on us as He moved upon the OT&NT writers

E. How much is ALL? – def.: “the whole of” - READ: II Timothy 3:16-17

1. God gave us the Scriptures by a choice of His own will

2. He inspired them and made them profitable

a. For doctrine (teaching) – the revelation of foundational truth

b. For reproof (conviction) - that by which a Christian is proved or tested

c. For correction - restoration to an upright or right state improvement character

d. For instruction (training) in righteousness

1. instruction - the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs commands, admonitions, reproof and punishment. It also includes the training and care of the body

2. In adults also cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes, curbing passions and increasing virtue.

3. Righteousness - approved of God, having integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting

F. To make us adequate – having special aptitude for given uses

G. To equip us for every good work – to be perfectly furnished

II. The Power of the Word – READ: John 1:1-3,14

A. By the Word of God – the worlds were formed

1. In Genesis 1 the most common phrase is “and God said…”

B. Jesus is the Word

C. It is sharper than any two-edged sword – READ: Hebrews 4:12

D. His sword will devour flesh – READ: Deuteronomy 32:42

1. His sword is the Word

2. Flesh is our carnal nature

3. Are you being tripped up by sin?

4. Does your flesh hold you captive?

5. His word will devour our carnal, fleshly, worldly nature

Concl.: We have the greatest resource in the world.

Many have tried to destroy the Bible, but Matthew 24:35 says “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

The Word is inspired, it helps us to live Godly lives and it conforms us to the image of Jesus